The Importance of Documenting Your Injuries

Assessment of your injuries

The most important factor in any accident or injury case is the medical providers chart notes about injuries, treatment and any resulting disability.  The value of any personal injury claim depends on the medical providers’ comments and assessment of injuries.

Do your injuries interfere with daily activities?

At each office visit, the doctor will make a note of your complaints, findings and recommended treatment.  The chart notes should include symptoms, treatment, how injuries interfere with work or recreational activities and everyday life.  A doctor who was not kept informed of the impact on your life can be detrimental to a claim.

At the first visit with any medical provider, you should provide the provider with a detailed history of the accident.  Explain how the accident happened and what happened to you.  Be detailed enough to connect your injuries to the accident.  It is important that you do not exaggerate, as it may come back to hurt your claim when it comes time to resolve the claim.

Tell your medical providers about the complaints you had immediately following the accident.  Tell him/her of your symptoms that appeared during the following few days after the accident and any other symptoms you have had since the accident.  Even if some of the symptoms have since ended you should inform your medical providers.

Read more about why you must visit your doctor if you’ve been in an accident

Do your injuries interfere with work?

If you are employed, you should describe your job and the physical activities it requires.  Your doctor can then determine whether your injuries will prevent you from performing your job.  If you returned to work and find that your injuries are interfering with your ability to do your job, tell your doctor about it.  The doctor may advise you to stop working for a while due to your injuries.